Ahead of the reduction in toll charges on the Severn Crossing today (Monday 8 January), Chris Sutton, lead director at property consultancy JLL in Cardiff, said:
“The removal of VAT from the Severn Bridge tolls is the precursor to the full abolition of the tolls by the end of 2018. These announcements have already had a positive impact on the property market in Wales with a significant increase in enquiries from logistics companies.
“In recent years, south-east Wales has usually lost out to Avonmouth in terms of attracting footloose logistics facilities, with eight warehouses totalling over three million sq ft currently under construction on the Bristol side of the Severn. These facilities, for the likes of Amazon and The Range, will service Wales, however they are generating jobs and investment for the South West.
“The removal of the tolls will create a level playing field in terms of cost and will also remove the perception of ‘paying to get into Wales.”